A family deported to Pakistan from Lancashire are in hiding living in fear of their lives, according to a friend.

Nigel, 53 and Pearl, 44, and children Calvin, 12 and Crystal, 14, were arrested and sent back to Pakistan from their home in Nelson in June after their bid for asylum failed.

But now they are desperately trying to return to the UK once more after supporters said they were being forced to live in hiding in Karachi.

The Karims and their supporters have always said they believed their lives would be in danger if they returned to Pakistan because of their Catholic faith.

Mrs Karim's cousin was murdered shortly before the family left for the UK five years ago, and it is thought that the killers were really after her husband because of his religious beliefs.

Mr Karim has also been told by friends that there is a poster in his home country offering £6,000 as a reward for his death.

Residents of Nelson as well as teachers and friends from the children's schools Holy Saviour Primary and Fisher More High School and parishoners from their church, Holy Saviour, campaigned tirelessly for the Karims to stay.

Coun Ann Kerrigan, who has been supporting the family's case, said: "The family are back in Karachi but they are living in absolute fear. It is terrible. They daren't go out because they are just so afraid of what might happen to them. It is what we have been saying all along."

Coun Kerrigan said the family were trying to apply for work permits so they could come back to the UK